Emerald Coast Chapterhttp://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org
Just another WordPress siteFri, 13 Feb 2015 17:24:48 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3Call for Volunteers!http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/call-for-volunteers/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/call-for-volunteers/#commentsFri, 13 Feb 2015 17:20:11 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2649Surfrider is all about grassroots volunteering, that means getting people involved in activities and outreach in our local community and state, and helping them take the lead on creating change! There’s always something you can do to help, and if you have a good idea or know of an opportunity, let us know. For volunteer opportunities contact Mike Sturdivant or Susan Forsyth.

We are actively looking for new members for our Executive Committee, and need new committee members to help lead beach cleanups, plan social events, or implement any other ideas you might have!

]]>http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/call-for-volunteers/feed/0New drilling off the Atlantic Coast?http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/new-drilling-off-the-atlantic-coast/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/new-drilling-off-the-atlantic-coast/#commentsTue, 10 Feb 2015 17:06:08 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2641The federal government has proposed new offshore drilling for oil off the Atlantic coast. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Draft Five Year Drilling Program includes plans for oil drilling in the Mid- and South Atlantic, as well as the Arctic Ocean. New offshore drilling would pollute our oceans and cause major impacts to marine wildlife including whales, dolphins, and fish populations. Tell BOEM that we don’t need another Deepwater Horizon on the Atlantic Coast! No to new oil and gas drilling and expanded seismic testing in the Atlantic! Click here to send in your comments!
]]>http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/02/new-drilling-off-the-atlantic-coast/feed/0Emerald Coast Chapter to Lead Volunteer Monitoring Effortshttp://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/01/emerald-coast-chapter-to-lead-volunteer-monitoring-efforts/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2015/01/emerald-coast-chapter-to-lead-volunteer-monitoring-efforts/#commentsTue, 13 Jan 2015 15:54:58 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2635

The Emerald Coast Chapter is continuing to monitor our Florida Panhandle beaches for ongoing impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As of the end of December, the Florida DEP and U.S. Coast Guard have completed their monitoring programs. It’s now up to the public and volunteers to report oiling, tar balls, and tar mats. Here’s a bit more information on our Vice Chair, Susan Forsyth’s volunteer efforts:

Susan Forsythe with the Emerald Coast Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean, waves and beaches through an activist network, has spent 3,000 hours volunteering to monitor beaches from Bay County to Baldwin County, Ala., and documenting and reporting tar balls to the NRC since the oil spill.

She said she and other members will stay vigilant in that mission. They also are looking into recruiting other beachgoers to help fill the void left by DEP.

“We are talking with the Coast Guard, and they said they would have a training session with locals from the beach community and train them to know how to identify MC-252 oil,” she said. “It has a distinct color and look.”

Surfrider will alert the public when and if this training materializes.

Every Surfrider chapter has a core of volunteers who, when asked, will step up and get things done. If a chapter is fortunate, like the Emerald Coast Chapter, they may also have a leader who understands what needs to happen and makes it so, long before most folks would even notice the opportunity. In the Emerald Coast Chapter, this person is Susan Forsyth.

Susan first joined our chapter at the very onset of the BP oil disaster. She found our chapter in a state of emergency, desperately attempting to learn about the disaster and hopeful that we could protect our friends, families and beaches. Like many, she was dismayed at the shortcomings of local, State, and Federal disaster response. Rather than simply worry, complain, or try to ignore the impending crisis, Susan immediately embraced the opportunity to engage.

In the event that we don’t have a ridable wave, you will still want to come out for a morning of fun in the sun. Pack your cooler, bring some shade and don’t forget the sunscreen. Activities start at 8am and go until 11am. Beach games, music and more will be theme of the day. Those that register will still receive their Kid’s Surf Classic t-shirts. Extra shirts are available while supplies last. Only 60 have been ordered.

You can also support the Emerald Coast Chapter with a donation.DONATE NOW

About The Event

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic. It’s a surfing contest just for kids! For many it will be a first time surfing experience and for some, a chance to show off their skills. For all involved, parents and children alike, it will surely be a great time on the beach. Need a surfboard? We will have a variety of longboards, shortboards, and fishes available for use. Need help catching waves? Have a parent assist you in the line-up, or we’ll provide a surfing expert to help get you into some waves. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and protection of beaches for everyone. All profit from the contest goes to fund local Surfrider chapter campaigns. With your registration, you will be saving beaches around the world while playing and having a great time on your own beach.

]]>http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2014/06/international-surfing-day-2014/feed/0Chapter Meeting & Training!http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2014/02/chapter-meeting-training/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2014/02/chapter-meeting-training/#commentsMon, 24 Feb 2014 18:20:24 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2557You are invited to an Emerald Coast Chapter Meeting. This meeting is open to members and non-members.

Date and Time

The meeting will be held on Thursday February 27, 2014 at 5:30 to 6:30pm CT.

Details

Join us as we renew our commitment to the protection and enjoyment of our surf and beach. We will discuss ongoing volunteer efforts and training. We will especially welcome your great ideas for new projects!

Location

The meeting will be held in the SoWal Library conference room.

Dial In

You can dial in using the following dial–in number: (712) 432-1212 with Meeting ID: 601-256-663#

About

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic. It’s a surfing contest just for kids! For many it will be a first time surfing experience and for some, a chance to show off their skills. For all involved, parents and children alike, it will surely be a great time on the beach. Need a surfboard? We will have a variety of longboards, shortboards, and fishes available for use. Need help catching waves? Have a parent assist you in the line-up, or we’ll provide a surfing expert to help get you into some waves.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and protection of beaches for everyone. All profit from the contest goes to fund local Surfrider chapter campaigns. With your registration, you will be saving beaches around the world while playing and having a great time on your own beach.

WHENJuly, 20, 2013(Rain date, July 21)
This event is limited to the first 60 registered. Day of the event registration will open at 7am. The first heat will begin at 8am. We expect the event to finish no later than 2pm.

AGES
All kids, 13 and under. There will be two divisions, 8 and under, and 9 to 13 year olds.

Registration

Age Division

T-shirt Size

Surfer’s Name

]]>http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/07/kids-surf-classic/feed/0Kid’s Surf Classic is Cominghttp://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/05/kids-surf-classic-is-coming/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/05/kids-surf-classic-is-coming/#commentsThu, 02 May 2013 05:52:29 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2396Kid’s Surf Classic 2013 is coming this June 22nd in celebration of International Surfing Day. Check out this video of last year’s event and get ready for some exciting beach fun.

]]>http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/05/kids-surf-classic-is-coming/feed/0Emerald Coast Surfrider Presenting Oil Research Findings at NIEH Consortiahttp://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/02/emerald-coast-surfrider-presenting-oil-research-findings-at-nieh-consortia/
http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/2013/02/emerald-coast-surfrider-presenting-oil-research-findings-at-nieh-consortia/#commentsThu, 21 Feb 2013 22:56:31 +0000http://emeraldcoast.surfrider.org/?p=2388Surfrider volunteers are participating in the National Institute of Environmental Health Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia this weekend in New Orleans. We will be presenting our research findings. We have three essentials goals. -Educate the scientific community regarding the long term toxicity of BP oil and dispersant on our beaches. -Encourage the further study of health impacts with a dermal absorption study researching the passage of dispersed oil through the skin. And finally, – Highlight new research and advocate for removal of toxic dispersants from the list of approved oil disaster response methods.